Seal Legislation Passes Calif. Assembly

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Aired 7/9/09

A bill giving the San Diego City Council control over the Children’s Pool in La Jolla has passed overwhelmingly in both the State Senate and Assembly. But nothing will change in San Diego until the Governor decides to act.

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Above: KPBS reporter Sharon Heilbrunn asks visitors at the Children's Pool in La Jolla what they think about the controversy.

SAN DIEGO  A bill giving the San Diego City Council control over the Children’s Pool in La Jolla has passed overwhelmingly in both the State Senate and Assembly. But nothing will change in San Diego until the Governor decides to act.

The bill changes the wording of the trust that created the Children’s Pool to allow the beach to be used as a marine sanctuary. The city council could ultimately decide whether to let the seals stay there. But the Governor says he won’t sign any legislation until the state’s budget crisis is resolved. City Attorney Jan Goldsmith says that means the city must still follow the ruling of a state judge who’s overseeing a lawsuit involving the seals.

“If Judge Hoffman orders us in the interim to remove the seals we will do everything he asks us to do. If another judge orders us not to interfere with the seals, we’ll comply with both of them,” he says.

Goldsmith says he believes the legislation is the only way to finally resolve the issue. The bill is currently being held at the Senate. Once it’s sent to the Governor he has 12 days to either sign it or veto it or it automatically becomes law.